March 2010

How Close is "Too Close": Can an Accident Victim Cover the Toyota Recall?

by Jennifer Fuller, WSIU Radio Morning Host/Reporter

We've all covered stories that affect us directly. As journalists, we have to draw a line separating ourselves from the story, and maintaining integrity without a conflict of interest. But how do we continue to do this as newsrooms across Illinois (and across the nation) shrink?

Congratulations to all of the winners of the 2009 Illinois Associated Press Broadcast Awards! The awards will be presented at the dinner on the evening of Saturday, April 17th during the INBA Spring Convention at the Oak Brook Hills Marriott. Register today for the dinner (cost - $65) by clicking here.

Want to join us for the entire weekend? Or staying Saturday night? The deadline is fast approaching to book your hotel room! You have until 5:00pm on Friday, April 2nd to make a reservation with the hotel and receive our discounted rate of $99, plus tax. Click here for instructions to book your room online.

What did ABC News have to say about Jose Baez’s revelation that the network had paid $200,000 to his client Casey Anthony?

ABC News issued this statement: “In August 2008, we licensed exclusive rights to an extensive library of photos and home videos for use by our broadcast platforms, affiliates and international partners. No use of the material was tied to any interview.”

ABC affiliate WFTV-Channel 9 has used the footage of slain toddler Caylee Anthony repeatedly. WFTV also has noted that it reported the $200,000 figure first, but it had the inside track to that informationi as an ABC affiliate.

In court today, Baez revealed that “$200,000 came from a deal that was done by my client with the American Broadcasting Co. ABC.”

NEW YORK – For the want of a better two-second picture of a tachometer, ABC News has called into question its reporting on acceleration problems with Toyota vehicles.The network's handling of a Feb. 22 "World News" story about potential problems with computer systems in Toyotas has created ethical questions and intensified bitter feelings the besieged automaker already had toward ABC.

ABC has admitted to a misjudgment and swapped out the brief dashboard video in its report, which continues to be available online. Its story illustrated a report by David Gilbert, a Southern Illinois University professor who suggested that a design flaw in Toyotas might leave a short-circuit that could cause sudden acceleration undetected by the car's computer system.

Mr. Collins was a federal prosecutor in Chicago for 12 years before joining Perkins Coie in Chicago in 2007. He played a leading role in a number of high-profile cases while at the U-S Attorney’s office, including the Operation Safe Road Investigation and the subsequent conviction of former Illinois Governor George Ryan. Mr. Collins will talk about this case and others, including the ongoing corruption probe against ousted Governor Rod Blagojevich.

Why join INBA?

INBA played a huge part in preparing me for my broadcasting career. The INBA conventions connect students with on air talent and news directors who give feedback on now to improve your work. Through relationships I made at those conventions I was able to obtain my first on air reporting job.